Vegetarianism

I'm having a difficult day at work, so I thought I'd write about something that accidentally became important to my yoga practice. I had always joked I wanted to be a vegetarian but always thought it was going to be difficult, especially as a runner. I had stopped eating beef and pork for about 5 years in my teen years, but then started again a couple years ago. However, just like getting my yoga teaching certification, becoming a vegetarian slowly stopped becoming something I mused about and a reality.

Last year I started dating a vegetarian. He was actually raised vegetarian and maintained it for most of his life except for a few years eating meat and a few as a vegan. He didn't ask me to become a vegetarian nor did he care if I ate a double double cheeseburger in front of him. So I wasn't forced or asked into vegetarianism, but ate less meat as the result of dating someone who was.

Eventually I started asking about vegetarians and protein and running and all those "usual" questions. Lots of vegans and vegetarians run marathons and live healthy lives, so it's not impossible. With a little research it seemed doable, and signing up for a produce co-op allowed for more variety in my diet. Having things like Kale and Chard weekly in my box expanded my vegetable consumption and ensured I was getting enough protein and vitamins.

After moving in together I didn't really think about it becoming a full time vegetarian. The one thing I did notice is that Bikram became much easier. I felt lighter and like my body wasn't working as hard to hold poses. When I went into my first class after changing my eating, the difference was remarkable and it is a different change than just building endurance. I can't really explain it.

I'm not really advocating that everyone becomes a vegetarian, but I will say it's not as hard as I thought it to be. It's been a major improvement to my practice though, just like fasting. Which will totally be another post.